Xbox 360 'over-achieved' in Euro Christmas sales

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jan 5th 2009 at 3:45PM }

Microsoft has deemed its European holiday onslaught a success, with Chart-Track data reportedly showing Xbox 360 sales "almost" doubling when compared to the same period in 2007. This made the Xbox 360 the fastest-growing system of 2008, leaving it in a prime spot for further 2009 traction, says Chris Lewis, Regional Vice President of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business for the EMEA region.

"Christmas 2008 was a resounding success for Xbox 360. 2008 saw us grow faster than any of our competitors and we over-achieved in sales during the crucial Christmas selling period," said Lewis. "With eight million consoles sold since we launched, and consistently out-selling PlayStation 3 in EMEA, we're poised to build on this success in 2009." Microsoft claims to have over a one-million unit lead over the PlayStation 3 in the EMEA region, which includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Tags: Europe, Holidaze-2008, Microsoft, Sales, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ChiTownRuler23 @ Jan 5th 2009 3:52PM

congrats microsoft o yes how many points is that achievment worth any ways?

Latin Trident @ Jan 5th 2009 3:52PM

i KNEW it!!!

ice~ @ Jan 5th 2009 3:53PM

THey should give that achievement to everyone with 30,000g and more, like me :D It would make me feel important even though im not

Phantom @ Jan 5th 2009 3:54PM

They should take away 50% of their sales from their sales numbers,for all the people who had to buy another one because they're 360 broke.

Shmil @ Jan 5th 2009 3:56PM

Get over it.

sk8monroe81 @ Jan 5th 2009 3:58PM

IF U BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE YOU ARE A SPOLIED BRAT...
lol...they fix them for free.

if you couldn't wait 3 weeks for warranty service it was all on you if you purchased a new console.

and wouldnt selling the 2nd console still count as a console sold anyway?
the customer bought it with little complaints and was probably happy.

do u buy a new car if it doesnt start in the morning??

xFenixKnightx @ Jan 5th 2009 4:00PM

Why? They liked it enough to buy it again didn't they?

sk8monroe81 @ Jan 5th 2009 4:00PM

and phantom remember that many people have bought more than 1 360 to have more than 1 360 in their home, not because the 1st one crashed.
i love the fanboys who believe half of 360 sales are due to RROD... its funny.
refurbs and service are not consoles sold.

i dont really think anyone wants 2 $ 400 - $ 500 ps3's in their home nowadays...
but another $ 200 box to play online and co-op has been done by many.

Hala Madrid!! (Somebody get me a tie! And it sure as hell better be red!) @ Jan 5th 2009 4:05PM

You're a fucking buzz kill Phantom.

-1

jxcgunrunna @ Jan 5th 2009 4:07PM

If you bought a new you, you are either retarded or you like Microsoft. By buying another one, you are saying, "You screwed me over and while you are willing to fix things, I will instead reward you for screwing me over".

If my girlfriend cheats on me, I am much more likely to forgive her than i am to let her getaway with it and do it again.(personally, id dump her ass)

Cellien @ Jan 5th 2009 4:44PM

My launch unit broke and they fixed for free and sent it back. How does your math equal another sale for MS?

I'm considering buying another one though just to have in another room and to utilize HDMI.

marauder800 @ Jan 5th 2009 4:53PM

I've sent more PS3's back to Sony since March than I have 360's, despite owning 2 360's and having the first one for almost 3 years. That lame PS3fanboy mantra doesn't fly with me.

Haggard @ Jan 5th 2009 5:33PM

Har har, you must be a phantom because your comment is invisible!

/old joke

Phantom @ Jan 11th 2009 8:22PM

Oh my poor inbox.

Anyway, that was fun.

GundamWingEW @ Jan 5th 2009 3:54PM

SUCCESS!

DBuck_Eye @ Jan 5th 2009 3:59PM

So how'd the Wii do?

Hyams @ Jan 5th 2009 4:04PM

http://www.changetowin.org/connect/images/bin-dive.jpg

t3kni9e @ Jan 5th 2009 4:02PM

That's what price drops will do for you

Happy to see MS succeeding especially since it's American. Not that I have anything against Japan but owning an American console means you usually do not have to worry about delayed release dates for features.

But it's sad to see PS3 struggle because in reality they have a great console, it's just overpriced. Not that I don't know they're selling at a loss, but hopefully they really are doing a 10 year lifespan and it picks up for them.

Alien Lord @ Jan 5th 2009 4:04PM

I'd expect nothing less from the Xbox 360, it's my main system.

sk8monroe81 @ Jan 5th 2009 4:06PM

so the 360 has been doing well in every part of the world lately except the inevitable japan market controlled by 2 japanese game companies, nintendo and sony.

it seems the japanese are more apt to support a national company rather than playing the types of games they really want to play such as JRPG's which lately have only been on the box.

and im sure the japanese consumer market doesnt welcome outside companies as much as america welcomes others.
its probably harder to secure store space and advertising in japan for MS as it is in america for sony to do.

now the japanese just have to come around and buy a box already. heck they will loads of fun playing all the Jrpg's and such games anyway.

jorojoserojas @ Jan 5th 2009 4:12PM

I don't know, man. From what others have told me (yes, that already creates a flaw in this argument), Japan is pretty much flooded with iPods. I don't know how much the "Japanese only buy Japanese" mentality comes to play here.

sk8monroe81 @ Jan 5th 2009 4:56PM

good point there. to add...
but sony network walkman sucks and the ipod is the best tech regarding mp3 players.
i think the japanese go for quality and tech also.

thats why they probably have their ps3's with few games and no JRPG's.
they wont buy a faulty 360 IMO.
japanese dont care about the lowest price.
from what i have heard also.

sk8monroe81 @ Jan 5th 2009 4:58PM

i think we fixed the arguement.
japanese go for quality and tech over lower price and better games..
not just because it is japanese vs. american companies.

Moptimus Slime @ Jan 5th 2009 5:11PM

"to play such as JRPG's which lately have only been on the box."

Dragon Quest X on the Wii along with IX on the DS, a ton of FFXIII spinoffs on both PS3 and PSP, Monster Hunter 3 and Monster Hunter G on the Wii. Next major Tales game on Wii.

What does the 360 have?
http://kotaku.com/5065781/microsoft-this-is-how-you-blow-your-ps3-lead-in-japan

End of conversation.

As for shelf space, check this out
http://kotaku.com/5119406/xbox-360-getting-lots-of-shelf-space

sk8monroe81 @ Jan 5th 2009 5:14PM

moptimus- im talking about new games.
not rehashes.
when did the ds come into a ps3 vs. 360 argument anyway... lol....
star ocean exclusive to 360.
tales of vesperia.
lost odyssey.
infinite undiscovery.
blue dragon.
etc...

Moptimus Slime @ Jan 5th 2009 5:39PM

again, this time with gusto!

Dragon Quest X on Wii and IX on DS, FFXIII on PS3 along with a few spinoffs on both PS3 and PSP, Monster Hunter 3 on Wii. Next major Tales game on Wii.

Also, when was that strictly 360 VS. PS3? Oh wait, that way you can deny that it is actually the DS that is king of JRPGs, with the Wii and PS3 duking it out for home console supremacy.

sk8monroe81 @ Jan 5th 2009 9:42PM

if u call a handheld the king of JRPG's then have fun with them...
personally i prefer the big screen and full game.

ff13 is on the box too.
only versus will be exclusive and i wouldnt be surprised if the release date is kicked back after ff13 release.
they wont release both games at the same time and they will release the multi platform ff13 first.
so have fun.
its funny you name 1 game dragon quest when i provided you with over 5.
its ok fanboy. hate on the 360 all you want.
ill have fun playing mine.
along with my ps3 and ds too.

wii and ps3 duking it out?? lol i guess you missed the artciles about sony closing factories, cutting jobs, losing money on ps3, and that the 360 has slaughtered the ps3 this holiday season sales wise.

Spartacus @ Jan 6th 2009 2:15AM

@sk8monroe81

This is a tangent of a tangent, but if you're knowledgeable of MP3 players and audio gear at all, you'd know that the iPod is NOT the best tech out there. It is the most popular due in part to Apple's ridiculous advertising.

In 2006 the Creative Zen Vision M was awarded "the best MP3 player" title and Creative has consistently put out solid hardware. The new Zen is the size of a credit card, has 32GB of flash memory, an SD slot which is compatible with 16GB cards, has a screen that would make an iPod blush, a built in FM tuner, voice recorder and has the X-Fi chip built in. You can get them on dell.com for around $200. Heck, even the MS Zune (1st gen not withstanding) is overall better hardware than the iPod.

Add to the fact that iTunes, while convinient and popular, is wrought with problems, DRM and odd "Apple-isms" and I can't imagine why people would choose to use such restrictive software when there are much better alternatives out there. The Zune free pass is good, Rhapsody is great, Amazon DRM-free downloads are even better and good ole fashion ripped CD's are *infinitely* better.

Wiinterfang @ Jan 5th 2009 4:07PM

YOU WIN!

Alien Lord @ Jan 5th 2009 4:29PM

segata sanshiro what are you doing in a wii fan's avatar?

Wiinterfang @ Jan 5th 2009 4:31PM

Final somebody recognize my avatar.

*Assuming it doesn't turn back into the rainbow Mario one*

Alien Lord @ Jan 5th 2009 4:36PM

I love that character, he should have been my childhood hero.

xFenixKnightx @ Jan 5th 2009 5:04PM

How the hell did you change it?!! My shits borked! :(

Zertoss @ Jan 5th 2009 5:16PM

@Fenix

Make sure you aren't trying to use a PNG. Only GIFs and JPEGs are supported.

When I was a teen, if you had told me Japan had a martial artist that walked into places and kicked everyone's asses before commanding them to all play Sega Saturn, I never would've believed you.

Wiinterfang @ Jan 5th 2009 5:34PM

Well somebody had to trained Chuck Norris.

xFenixKnightx @ Jan 5th 2009 5:38PM

Just changed it.

Thanks Zertoss, hopefully it works.

Wiinterfang @ Jan 5th 2009 5:40PM

The Marcus one looks pretty cool, it will take something to be aviable to everyone on the main page so I saw it on your profile.

GoonieGooGoo @ Jan 5th 2009 4:44PM

I can sense the SONY Fanboys unifying and furrowing their brows in yet another attempt to defend SONY and their mistakes this generation.

I....on the other hand....will stare at my PS3....then at my Original Model PS2 with 200GB HDD.....and think "Bah...you are such a disappointment in comparison to your older brother".

Then I'll play LEFT 4 DEAD on my 360 and be abandoned by some jackass as I'm strangled by a smoker.